SHELBY — They traveled along the uneven pavement called the midway. Left and right, patrons visited vendor booths filled with appetizing treats that come once a year, carnies beckoning for newcomers at game booths or sky-high thrill rides.

The Cleveland County Fair was in town and ended its 11-day run Sunday at the fairgrounds. The countdown for its return starts today.

Hammering downpours pounded the midway for at least five days during the 88th edition of the county fair.

The fair was not officially open Oct. 1 because of lengthy showers, according to fairgrounds manager Calvin Hastings.

“Rides can’t be operated when it’s raining because of safety issues. A lot of people don’t like to walk around in the rain,” Hastings said.

Attendance reflected the weather. At least 125,000 visitors made their way to the fairgrounds this year.

Last year, more than 175,000 locals and out-of-towners flocked to the county fair.

“It rained one day last year and the numbers reflected that,” he said. “We should’ve come close to last year’s attendance.”

Business elsewhere?

Periods of rain led some fair attendees to look outside of the midway for food and entertainment, according to uptown restaurant owners.

Jim Sander, kitchen manager at Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille, said the restaurant saw an influx of customers on rainy days. He noted a 10 to 15 percent increase in sales Saturday night during a heavy rain shower.

“We saw people leave the fair and come here,” he said.

Sander said the fair doesn’t normally have a negative impact on Pleasant City, even when the weather’s better.

Chris Canoutas, who owns Pleasant City, said his other uptown restaurant, Newt’s Modern Burger, also experienced good visitor traffic during the fair.

Thomas Tessneer, head chef at Smoke on the Square, said his food booth at the fair has only benefited the local restaurant in Uptown Shelby. Loyal customers stopped at the booth during the fair, while other fair patrons learned of the restaurant’s nearby location, Tessneer said.

It was the restaurant’s third year at the fair.

“Being at the fair broadens our clientele. Our business is up this year with being a midway vendor and not working out of a mobile food unit. It’s been a good year,” Tessneer said.

‘An 11-day fair’

Hastings said some patrons called this year’s entertainment lineup one of the best. The cast from Lizard Lick Towing on TruTV extended its stay by five hours Sunday to meet fans because of high demand, according to Hastings.

“Although our numbers are down, the fair has been going great. We’ve had good attendance,” he said. “From here on, it’s going to be an 11-day fair.”